A book talk is defined as “what is spoken with the intent to convince someone to read a book,” according to Wikipedia. Basically, a person who is familiar with a certain book decides to talk about the author and briefly discuss the book in order to persuade an audience to read the book. Book talks are a common activity performed at Randall under the supervision of Mr. Sullivan, the librarian. In the following month, a regular book talk will take place, and a local author will visit the school to talk to fellow students.

“The author coming is A.G. Howard,” Sullivan said. “She’s a fantasy author, and several of her books have been on the New York Times bestseller list.”

Howard has written a number of books including Unhinged, Ensnared, Untamed, the Moth in the Mirror, along with several others. She is well-known in the young adult and fantasy genre of books.

“She likes to speak to young adults because she is a young adult author,” Sullivan said. “She will give them tips on writing, and explain why she writes fantasy.”

On February 9, Howard will be visiting Randall as a guest speaker for both lunch periods. She will speak at 11:15 A.M. and 12:15 P.M. for about 45 minutes in the east library. The students are allowed to bring their lunch to the library during this presentation, and drinks will be provided to them by Sullivan.

“I’m expecting between 30 to 40 students in each lunch period to come,” Sullivan said. “We have room for a few more students.”

The author requested not to speak to a large crowd of students so the maximum amount of students allowed to attend in each lunch period is 60. If a student is interested in attending the presentation they can talk to Sullivan or their English teacher, and sign up to attend.

“I’ve been doing book talks since I became librarian in 2003,” Sullivan said. “I started the book talks and it’s been going on for 13 years now.”

If a student is unable to attend the author’s presentation, they are welcomed to attend a regular book talk that happens once a month on the third Thursday of the month in the east library at 11:30 A.M. and 12:30 P.M. At these book talks, cookies and beverages are provided to the students by Sullivan. The librarians, English teachers, and even some students give book talks at these occasions.

“I think we have a number of students who have an idea in the back of their mind that they want to write well or maybe they want to write a short story,” Sullivan said. “I’m hoping this will inspire them to pursue that and practice their writing.”